If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in the Port St. Lucie area, your primary concern should be ensuring you receive adequate medical attention to recover from your injuries. The added stress and financial burden from medical bills and lost work, as well as vehicle repairs, can make it difficult to focus on your health in this trying time. For this reason, seeking the assistance of a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie should be seriously considered after a Florida motorcycle accident.
At Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, we understand the pain and suffering you may be going through right now. We have won many cases like yours in our over 4 decades of service to the Port St. Lucie community. When dealing with motorcycle cases, we know that riders may be seriously injured and seeking monetary assistance as quickly as possible. However we have also learned that there exists a bias against motorcycle riders, and our aggressive strategies have been developed to overcome those perceptions to capture the highest compensation for bikers.
Our Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident lawyers know the ins-and-outs of Florida negligence law, and we can help you seek the largest sum possible to suit your financial needs. Free consultations are available to schedule 24/7. We can provide consultations via phone, Skype, Facetime, video chat, or your preferred method of communication. Call us at (866) 460-1990 or contact us online, and we can get started on your case as soon as possible.
Florida’s beautiful weather and high temperatures encourage motorcyclists from all over America to hit the streets to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are some of the most dangerous kinds of accidents that can happen — here or anywhere.
Florida leads the country in motorcycle deaths and injuries, with over 9,000 motorcycle accidents occurring every year. A majority of these accidents resulted in an injury to the rider or passenger, and hundreds of them resulted in death. Because of the risks posed to them by negligent drivers and other hazards, motorcyclists need to be extra cautious when navigating Florida’s dangerous roads.
Unlike typical car accidents, serious injury is far more likely in motorcycle accidents. This is because a motorcycle offers none of the standard protection modern cars do. Airbags reinforced frames, and seatbelts are not an option while riding on a motorcycle. There is nothing to keep you from being launched from the vehicle at high speeds.
On top of this, Florida does not require motorcyclists over the age of 21 to wear any sort of protective headgear as long as they have the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance required by law. These relaxed helmet laws can lead to serious injuries, including brain damage and spinal cord damage. Beyond this, helmets don’t protect from broken bones, blunt-force trauma to the body and limbs, or cuts and bruising. Simply put, operating a motorcycle in Florida can be extremely dangerous and any severe injury can put a rider or driver into serious medical debt.
Though wearing good protective gear is not required by Florida law in many cases, and though it may not protect you in all accidents, you should still always wear a helmet and protective clothing when operating a motorcycle. It could mean the difference between life and death.
When determining fault in a Florida motorcycle accident, the law works the same as in any other personal injury case. Negligence is determined based on a comparative system in which every involved party is assigned a portion of the blame in accordance with the evidence provided to a court. Note that seeking damages from a third-party is only possible in Florida if you have a qualifying “serious injury” or a $10,000 threshold is passed in accordance with the no-fault statutes in the state. Unfortunately, due to the severity of many motorcycle accidents, it is not uncommon for this limit to be reached quickly if injuries are severe enough.
Due to the comparative style of determining fault, you should always call the police to the scene of the accident in any motorcycle accident. If you don’t need to immediately go to the hospital, you should still see a doctor within 24 hours of the accident. If you intend to make a PIP insurance claim, you have to receive medical attention within 14 days of your collision.
Motorcycle crash injuries are far more likely to need medical attention than a typical car accident, and not going to the doctor can lead to progressive pain and suffering, as well as a harder time reaching an adequate settlement from liable parties. It may also be worth investing in a helmet camera, as your chances of fair compensation increase with the evidence you’re able to provide to point to another driver’s negligence.
Some common causes of negligence in Florida motorcycle accidents include but are not limited to:
If the other driver is focused on something other than driving, such as an electronic device, other passengers in the vehicle, or multi-tasking with food or drinks, they are likely to be found at least partially responsible for the accident.
If a driver is operating a vehicle while under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, even below the legal limit, it will likely increase their level of fault when in the comparative stages of the case. This is not limited to illegal drugs, like prescription drugs with warnings about operating motor vehicles that will be considered as well.
When a driver ignores certain regulations, like the speed limit or lane markings, they are likely to be found negligent. Usually, the seriousness of the infraction is considered when determining the amount of fault they are assigned.
Drivers that cut in and out of traffic, accelerate too quickly, and brake too hard and too late is likely to be assigned some blame for aggressive driving. This is particularly likely if their aggressive driving led directly to the crash.
Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd have dealt with many motorcycle accident cases in the past, and we are here to provide peace of mind in this difficult time. While you rest and recover from your injuries, we will proceed with exploring every avenue to lead to a settlement that addresses your financial needs.
If you’ve been in a Florida motorcycle accident, or are a loved one of someone who has, call a Port St. Lucie motorcycle accident lawyer today at (866) 460-1990 or contact us online. We can get started on your free, no-risk consultation to find out if we can help you recover damages in these troublesome times.
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